Raids at home of former priest in Mureș suspected of sexual abuse of teenagers
A 57-year-old man who once served at the altar and performs traditional music is the subject of an investigation into serious crimes committed against minors.
Raids at home of former priest in Mureș suspected of sexual abuse of teenagers
On Wednesday morning, a team of investigators raided three properties in the residential area of a 57-year-old individual, known in the past as a man of the church and folklore music performer. The action aims to document sexual assault and rape offences against persons who have not reached adulthood.
According to statements from people close to the investigation, cited by G4Media, there are indications that, from 2022 onwards, the suspect may have had intimate contact with male teenagers under 16 years of age.
This is not the first scandal of this kind involving the 57-year-old. Previously, magistrates opened a similar case against him, but it was closed in the spring of 2019. The reason cited by the Prosecutor's Office at the time was the statute of limitations on the offences, given that more than a decade had passed since their commission.
Beyond the sexual allegations, the individual was also subject to criminal sanctions for an economic crime. At the end of 2020, magistrates at the superior court in Târgu Mureș found him guilty of failure to pay obligations to the state and sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with suspension of sentence enforcement. The sentence became final. The offences consisted of failure to declare and pay taxes on rental income from properties he owned.
Regarding religious activity, the hierarchy in Alba Iulia has taken a public stance against him continuing to conduct services. An official notice, distributed in parishes in two counties, urges believers to stay away from the place of worship built by the suspect in the village of Ernei.
The document, approved by local ecclesiastical leadership, warns that the man is unauthorisedly wearing religious vestments and is misleading the community. Parishioners are advised not to participate in rituals organised there, not to request "absolution" and not to donate money. Representatives of the Archbishopric clarified that they have notified state institutions to intervene regarding these unauthorised practices.
Source: G4Media